Final master plan charrette is postponed! Scheduled for Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Long Beach Library, second floor on West Park Avenue. The topic will be parking and transportation policies, but a new date has not been announced.


Board of Education Next meeting Jan. 10, 2006 at 8 p.m. at Long Beach Middle School.


Zoning Board Next meeting, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. in the sixth-floor meeting room of City Hall.

This weekend

Fundraiser for the Youngbloods - A scholarship fundraiser will be held for the children of Travis Youngblood, the Navy corpsman killed in Iraq last summer. His wife's family is from Long Beach, and he is survived by two very young children. The fund-raiser will be at the Knights of Columbus on Kenneth Place in Oceanside Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. A $20 donation is requested. The event, which will feature a U.S. Marine Corps color guard, is sponsored by Murphy Construction and Macarthur Park Restaurant. For more information or to donate, call 546-2196.

At the Library

(111 W. Park Ave., 432-7200)


'Heir to the Glimmering World' - A book discussion featuring this novel by Cynthia Ozick. An eccentric Jewish family resettled in New York from Hitler's Germany, is struggling to adjust to life in America. On Friday, Dec. 16 from 1 - 3 p.m.


Alhambra in concert - Founded in 1981 to present the vast trove of Sephardic music, the Alhambra ensemble has performed in concert houses throughout the world. Elements of Moorish song, Spanish romances and music from throughout the diaspora are combined in this music. The program is Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. and made possible by a grant from Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg.


Current Events - Important events currently in the news will be covered in this program led by Carol Carlton, a former high school social studies teacher and adult educator for more than 20 years. Ms. Carlton is also a specialist in current events discussion groups and an area coordinator for the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions Program. Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.


Blood drive - The need for blood doesn't change or take a weekend vacation. Any healthy individual between the ages of 17 and 76 who weighs at least 110 pounds may participate. Please bring ID. To register, call 478-5017. Dec. 22 from 3 to 8:30 p.m.


Plymouth Rock shrine - The Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock on Dec. 22, 1620. Almost four centuries later a shrine will rise on the site. Join Liz Coffin Allerhand, a local historian and Historical Society trustee, as she traces the cultural logic of building a neo-classical shrine emblematic to the American colonial past on this site. Dec. 28 at 2 p.m.


Book group on "Illuminated Soul" - A widowed mother with two sons rents out a room to a Holocaust survivor, Eva. Eva brings with her a precious possession: a rare 15th century Hebrew manuscript. As the history of the manuscript is revealed, the mysterious border brings renewed life to the struggling family. Copies of this Aryeh Stollman novel will be available about three weeks in advance. Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Mrs. Heft at 432-7201.


Louis Comfort Tiffany at home - Learn about the noted craftsman's important contributions to interior decoration. During his life, he lived in five homes, each individually decorated, but none survive. This lecture, by Chris Karitevlis, will cover his two Oyster Bay homes. Jan 12 at 2 p.m.


Fitness for older adults - With Magda Rosenberg, Fridays at 9:05 a.m.


Caregivers' support group - Caregivers are invited to share ideas, discuss practical solutions and benefit from peer support. If this is your first attendance, please call 227-8908.

Health

LBMC's Women's Empowerment Group can help victims take back control of their lives. Facilitated by a certified social worker, the group discussions include a variety of topics such as parenting skills, relationship issues and domestic violence. The group is bilingual. For more information, call 897-4301.


Nightwatch The Nightwatch Hotline in Long Beach offers crisis counseling and referral to callers from all over the area, free of charge. Hotline hours are Sunday-Thursday from 6-11 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Call 889-2332.


Diabetes Club meets the third Monday each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Goldstein Auditorium at LBMC. Topics include nutritional management, medications, eye and foot care, exercise and more.


Anxiety and Depression screenings are offered for free at LBMC's Counseling Center. Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. Includes an interview with a mental health professional. Pre-registration not required. Call 897-1270.


Nar-Anon is for those who have felt desperation concerning the drug addiction of someone near to them. Meetings are Thursdays at 7:45 p.m. at the I.P. United Methodist Church, 364 Long Beach Rd., Island Park.


Caring for someone with dementia? You are not alone. The JASA AZORS/HELP Social Adult Day program provides stimulating activities for adults over 60 who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia. Sessions are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locations in Long Beach and Oceanside. For more info, call 432-0570.


Bereavement Support On Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:30 P.M. in Conference Room C at Long Beach Medical Center. The Medical Center's Counseling Center will offer a weekly bereavement support group for individuals dealing with the death of a family member or loved one. This free support group is led by a mental health professional. For information, call 897-1270.

Senior Spotlight

Beginners meditation is held on Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. at the Long Beach Senior/Community Center with Lisa Wisel. Wisel also conducts Dance/Movement Therapy on Wednesdays and Fridays 1-2 p.m. Call 431-3510 for more info.


P.A.C.E. Members of the Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC, 310 National Blvd. enjoy the benefits of music and dance through the P.A.C.E program. People with Arthritis Can Dance helps those with arthritis enjoy movement and helps alleviate stiffness. Lisa Wisel, MS, ADTR, CLM, a registered Dance/Movement therapist, leads the class.Every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.


Fitness for older adults is every Friday at 9:05 a.m. at the Long Beach Public Library. Magda Rosenberg, exercise physiologist, conducts a series of physical fitness routines. Please check with your doctor before participating in this or any exercise program.


Bridge for Fun at the Long Beach Senior Community Services Center sponsored by JASA at 570 W. Walnut St. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. For information, call 432-5555.


Painting Class at the Long Beach Senior Center at 570 W. Walnut St. Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. Call 432-5555 for more information.

Volunteer!

The Auxiliary Police wants you. The Auxiliary Police of the City of Long Beach is seeking new members to join its group of professional men and women dedicated to serving their community. For more information, contact Commanding Officer Ken Novak at (516) 431-6868. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For info. call 897-2233.


Food & Friendship Inn Soup Kitchen. Volunteers and donations are needed. Call Julie O'Neill at 889-7064.


The Long Beach Animal Shelter, at 770 Park Pl., welcomes volunteers for socializing with abandoned pets. Dog-walkers are welcome. There are dozens of cats and dogs eager to brighten your home and life. The shelter is open for extended adoption hours from 5 to 7:30 p.m., in addition to regular 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. hours.


JASA's Friendly Visitors program is seeking volunteers. If you are interested in sharing time with a senior citizen in his or her home, call Jolene Boden at 432-0570.


Volunteer for C.U.R.B. Volunteers are needed by Citizens United to Remove Barriers to help construct ramps for the disabled. Call 889-6579 for info.


We want you! If you served in the Armed Forces of the U.S., we want you to join the AMVETS Post 100, in Long Beach.Call Commander David Goodman at 431-9822, or Membership Chairman Omar Karom at 889-7516.

Keep in mind

The MLK Center is making facility space available for rentals and is taking reservations. For more information on rates and times, call the Center at 889-6300.


Spanish Lessons Want to learn to speak Spanish but never had the time or knew where to go? If you would like to sign up for classes or want more information, call Giuliano Bosi at Circulo de la Hispanidad, 26 West Park Ave, 431-1135.